This the largest skink in the
Midwestern United States, measuring 6½ to 9 inches,
including the tail. Adults are greenish-brown to gray in
overall color. Almost every scale has a gold or light
colored dot, sometimes arranged in such a way as to give
the appearance of dark stripes. This species is
distinguished by its shiny scales and alert, agile
appearance.

Distribution and Habitat

The Great Plains skink ranges from
southern Nebraska and Missouri south into northeastern
Mexico. It is a resident of open plains and grasslands.
Although it prefers moist areas it can also be found in
shaded areas with tall trees, as long as there is a
permanent or semipermanent body of water nearby.

Habits

This skink is diurnal, but often spends
hotter days lying underneath sun-warmed rocks and/or in
burrows. It spends winters burrowed into the soil or in a
rock crevice that will not freeze. It emerges from
dormancy in late April.

If disturbed, a skink can "break
off" its tail and run off while its enemy is
distracted. The tail will regenerate, but will not have a
pattern, will have slightly different scalation, and will
never be as long as the original.

The skink has powerful jaws that can
inflict a nasty bite when handled.

Reproduction

Breeding begins in late spring. The
female burrows deep beneath a large boulder (or something
similar), and lays an average of 12 eggs. Unlike most
other reptilians, which leave their eggs as soon as they
are laid, the female Great Plains skink guards her eggs
during the one- to two-month incubation period, and
cleans off the hatchlings before leaving them to fend for
themselves. The young are about 2½ inches long, jet
black in color, with bright blue tail and small
bluish-white or orange spots on the head.

Diet

This species feeds on insects, spiders,
mollusks, and other lizards, all of which it actively
seeks out.